The Breakfast Grille

Vikram Chakravarty, co-author of 'Asian Mergers & Acquisitions : Riding the Wave' discusses how deal activity is on the rise in Asia, while comparing the differences between M&A in Asia and in the West. As outlined in the book, Vikram delves into how M&As can transform GLCs in Asia. He also touches on the post merger intergration, as clashes in culture have crashed many an M&A before.  Authors Vikram Chakravarty and Chua Soon Ghee are partners at AT Kearney.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pandelela Rinong Pamg, national diver, first Malaysian woman Olympics medalist, and K-pop lover, talks about her journey, and the sacrifices of a champion.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Blaupunkt Group CEO Dr Lars Placke discusses:  - Current status of Malaysia manufacturing hub - Penang - skills - tax breaks - ease of doing business issues;  - Value chain - current - future;  - R&D - Moving to Malaysia - New Plant in Penang - Investment details: - plans invest total >12 million euros further expansion of activities Asia-Pacific;  - Challenges - rising costs;  - Japan Bank for International Cooperation (“JBIC”) survey - Malaysia lags Indonesia, Thailand and Vietnam - ranking potential destinations for Japanese manufacturing expansion - response;  - Structure of deals with carmakers - requirements - specs - installation - expertise - client management;  - Recent deals - Bentley - insights - how deals with different classes and makes are structured - levels of customisation;  - “Entry-Level” standard image - response;  - Car Radios - Shift in focus towards Entry-level & Upper Mid consumers - Plans to move up to higher-end;  - Expansion - navigation systems - Tablets - Phones - WiFi hotspots - issues;  - Re-entry into headphones segment - competing with the Sennheisers, Shure - reasons - issues;  - Bosch alliance - supplier for coach installations - status - update;  - North American alliance - Rockford Fosgate - exclusive distribution rights - car multimedia and headphone range - North American market - issues;  - New directions: R&D;  - Product development - direction;  - Joint Ventures - India & China;  - Positioning - new markets - India and China.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Caroline Russell, CEO of Boh Plantations, tells how she is keeping the 80+ year old brand relevant in the face of more competition.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview,  SEG International Founder/GMD Dato' Seri Clement Hii discusses:  - Transformation from Journalist to Businessman; - Failed Navis privatisation of SEGI - issues;  - Stint as Deputy Executive Chairman at Star Publications Bhd.; - Education blueprint - execution - political will - implementation; - SYF Resources - plans - issues; - Business climate - confidence - elections - issues; - Management philosophy - 'Johnny Comes Lately' approach - letting others make the mistakes;  - Plans - Business Newspaper - 'Focus Malaysia' -- issues;See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Badlisham Ghazali, CEO of the Multimedia Development Corporation (MDeC): --  gives an update on MSC Malaysia, clusters and companies;  --  discusses MDeC's process in the awarding of grants; --  the stacking strategy for the InfoTech cluster; --  performance of the Creative Multimedia cluster; --  the roll-out of Digital Malaysia and how it's different from MSC Malaysia; --  Digital Malaysia's three strategic thrusts; --  the eight projects under the Digital Malaysia initiative: how were they earmarked, how it will be implemented, and who will manage them; --  measuring the performance and success of Digital Malaysia; --  and he also shares his thoughts on Section 114A of the Evidence ActSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Netherlands Foreign Investment Agency (NFIA) is an operational unit of the Dutch Ministry of Economic Affairs, Agriculture and Innovation. It assists foreign companies wishing to establish their business in the Netherlands and to take advantage of the Dutch business environment as a strategic base to cover Europe. Karin Rancuret, the Area Director for Southeast Asia for NFIA, discusses the report card on investment pledges into the Netherlands, and which are the target sectors in Malaysia. She touches on some of the challenges that Malaysian businesses face when considering to invest in the Netherlands, e.g. the cultural differences, understanding labour regulations, EU tax structure, etc.  Rancuret gives us a preview on the key attractions, as well as the country's comparative advantage to other EU nations. She also talks about the impact of the Eurozone crisis on FDI flow into the Netherlands, and the country's relationship with other EU countries.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

i-Bhd CEO, Datuk Eu Hong Chew, discusses: - 2004 decision to exit appliances into property; - Positioning in 'digital cities'; - i-City development - flagship and only ongoing development -- old project - dating since 2005 - issues; - Only 15 per cent has been developed -- MSC, Pakatan effect; - Leisure element; - Landbanking - lack thereof; - Shareholders - - Sumurwang - Permodalan Nasional Berhad - patience; - Maiden project - KL; - 'Analysis paralysis' - slow - whether missed the property rally of 2009-2011; - Whether M&A plans -- property sector consolidation; - Shares: Zero liquidity - earnings pretty flat - little or no dividends -- outlook - issues; - TS Lim Kim Hong - major owner - plans - views Malaysia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datin Mina Cheah-Foong, founder of Rampai Niaga, the sole franchise holder for The Body Shop in Malaysia. She shares with us her story of how she started out getting involved in The Body Shop and how businesses be both profit driven and socially conscientious.  Datin Mina also discusses The Body Shop's recent rebranding efforts, tagged 'Beauty With Heart', and how the brand has managed to stay true to founder Anita Roddick's ethos. She also speaks passionately about the worthy causes supported by The Body Shop Malaysia: it is actively involved in the issue of HIV/AIDS, championing of women’s rights and protection of the environment, among others.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sunway Medical Centre CEO Lau Beng Long discusses: - Profit turnaround; - Drivers to the Malaysian healthcare sector; - Whether size and scale matter - IHH - Apollo - etc - versus Sunway: sole hospital; - Reports of poor quality of medical graduates - issues; - Doctors as freelancers: whether this is problematic; - Costs - salaries - rising wage inflation - extent affecting P&L; - Management of doctor egos - not a doctor; - Healthcare industry reform - rising healthcare costs - burgeoning out-of-pocket (OOP) private health payments; - EBITDA margins - comparison with other local and regional hospitals; - Tucked away in the division named ‘strategic investments’ among a gamut of other businesses (leisure, quarrying, building materials, trading and manufacturing - whether invisible; - Whether with the massive potential in healthcare there are concerted plans to spin out, build into a bigger player.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

BFM turns Four! And to celebrate our anniversary, David Chew, Khoo Hsu Chuang and Melisa Idris 'grille' the founder and managing director of BFM, Malek Ali.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

IHH Healthcare Berhad MD Dr. Lim Cheok Peng discusses: IPO: - Cornerstone investors - bought 58 per cent of your IPO - merits to their financial stability and prestige - sheer number - 22 - a record - Why so many; - Lockup period - issues; - Minuscule allocation for retail portion - criticism - issues; BUSINESS: - Scale - merits - demerits; - And at an issue price of 2.80 ringgit, IHH debuted at a valuation of 93 times PE, similar to Facebook - issues; - Growth assumptions - issues; - Already paying about 75% of the capital expenditures for new beds - impact on earnings; - Turkey (37.5%), Singapore (36.9%) and Malaysia (21.5%) comprise the biggest revenue contributions (95.9% of revenue) - extent to which this mix is malleable -- whether SG and Turkey will remain as main; - In SG, trending towards single-bed wards -- whether regulatory - issues; - Dependence on private practitioners to develop practise within premises for Malaysian and Singaporean operations - issues; - Competition - Connexion One & Raffles Medical in Singapore - Singapore Healthcare 2020 Masterplan; - 42 per cent costs are on staff: specifically, doctors -- availability and affordability - key and potential limitations; - Suitable and qualified nurses, ancillary help - issues; - Latest results announcement - underlying growth - issues; - Dividends - issues; M&A - Whether plan to increase to 100 per cent, stakes in Turkish Acibadem Group from 60 per cent now; - And what of associate stakes in Apollo in India; - Acquisitions - MY - CH.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Khazanah Nasional and Iskandar Investment provided the initial investment of RM720 million for Legoland to position Johor as an amusement park destination. Does the economics make sense for Malaysia? Siegfried Boerst, the General Manager is interviewed.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Preeminent architect and urban planner Dato' Sri Lim Chong Keat, the youngest brother of Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu, recollects the former Penang Chief Minister's early and formative days of Penang politics in the 1950s and 1960s. The younger Lim also recollects Tun Lim's exit from the MCA and subsequent and primary role in forming Gerakan.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lawyer, Tan Poh Lai, talks about her father Tan Sri Dr Tan Chee Khoon who despite growing up in abject poverty and not having the use of one eye became a famous doctor and leading opposition figure in the 1950s to 1970s. He was head of the now defunct Labour Party, and co-founded Gerakan, and was one of the founders of Universiti Malaya. His involvement in the opposition victory parade in Selangor that subsequently instigated the May 13th riots did not stop him from fighting against non-communal politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The country’s political landscape might have been different had Tun Sir HS Lee not persuaded MCA to join Umno in the Alliance Party coalition instead of Dato’ Onn Jaafar’s Independence of Malaya Party. Lee was one of the founding fathers of Malaysia, and its first finance minister. In 1957, however, he was defeated in the Selangor MCA presidential election, and two years later, he stepped down as finance minister. It was said that he had wanted more equal economic opportunities for the Chinese community, while others said he was too uncompromising with his demands. His eldest son and retired businessman, Dato’ Douglas KK Lee, tells us what HS was like as a person and leader, and his memories when independence was declared.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

FJ Benjamin is the brand owner of Raoul, and distributor of Gap, Guess, Celine, and a range of timepieces like Girard Perregaux and Bell & Ross, in Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia. Nash Benjamin, the CEO of FJ Benjamin, talks about his portfolio strategy for the next 10 years.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Some of the most significant components that make Malaysia what it is today, was introduced during the tenure of the second prime minister. In spite of his brief tenure, the many attributes of Malaysia -- be it social, political or economical -- were Tun Abdul Razak bin Hussein's handiwork. Under Tun Abdul Razak's premiership, the country saw the launch of the New Economic Policy (NEP), the establishment of Petronas, a national education system under the Razak Report, and the abolishment of local government elections. Tun Abdul Razak's former press secretary, Ahmad Mustapha Hassan, talks about what it was like working with Malaysia's second PM and the man's vision for the country. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aston Martin's Asia Pacific Regional Director Dr Matthew Bennett discusses:- Reasons for entry - Malaysia;- Whether late to the game; - JV with Berjaya; - Addressable market; - Market data - research; - Sales approach - Asia generally; - Targets - Malaysia; - Aston making far fewer cars than its peak in 2007 - issues; - Brand competition - rolls/Bentley/Ferrari etc - sales positioning; - Worldwide numbers - weak -- bad News In Home Market - Almost Non-existent in US - issues; - ‘Bond Factor’?; - Malaysia: grey importers - huge competition - cannibalism - price comparison - issues; - Sales and service support - investments - capex - ability - fees; - Depreciation / residual values - issues; - Brand equity; - AP system - allocation - role of politics. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Richard Baraniuk, the Victor E. Cameron Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Rice University, and founder of Connexions talks about the future of online education.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Sustainability for New Britain Palm Oil Ltd (NBPOL) Group Director, Dr.Simon Lord discusses: - Reportedly poor uptake of sustainable palm oil - demand issues; - RSPO - efforts - gauge; - Green Palm certificates - whether copout - stop gap; - Buyers - whether trend away from certificates approach; - Changing nature of consumption - new users - India and China; - Government - reducing trade levies - effect - issues - China and India; - Indonesia - own ISPO certification - issues; - ISPO is mandatory - RSPO is voluntary - issues; - Biodiesels - RSPO - coverage; - New Britain Palm Oil as leading producer of sustainable palm oil - investment issues - commercia appeal - issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Prof Tham Siew Yean is a professor in international trade and a principal research fellow at the Institute of Malaysian and International Studies (IKMAS), Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia. She has research interests and publications in foreign direct investment, economic integration and trade in services. In the interview, Prof Tham examines the trade's contributions to growth in Malaysia, current challenges confronting the international trade of Malaysia, and the sort of policies should Malaysia pursue to harness trade. She also dicusses the impact of FTAs and open trade with ASEAN, as well as her thoughts on how Malaysia can make that jump from a 'factory economy' to a 'headquarter economy'See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Group M CEO and Leader of Mindshare Malaysia, Girish Menon discusses:  - Overall health - Malaysia advertising spend; - Contrast with supposedly cooling economy - whether disconnect; - Astro's return to the stock exchange; - Catalysts - local media landscape- Growth areas - print - Mandarin - Maly vernacular;- Dynamics: Chinese - Malay newspapers; - Drop in English literacy - issues; - Nielsen raings - flaws; - Marketing Trends - rise of social Media - data not captured by Nielsen adex data - implications - planning - forecasting; - 'Paid' - 'owned' - 'earned' architecture - issues; - Digital - TV combination - success - issues; - Digital media adoption - challenges - issues; - Digital media - ad spend - versus overall - lags developed markets - reasons; - Owned ad network - details - issues; - Coming elections -- issues re confidence - ad spend - reluctance; - Popular culture - measurability - alignment; - Group M over-aligning with Astro - issues; - Working culture - advertising - burnout - stress - issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

American-born author and Beijing-based consultant Robert Koepp discusses his new book, 'Betting on China: Chinese Stocks, American Stock Markets, and the Wagers on a New Dynamic in Global Capitalism'.  He explores the reasons and the means by which China, America, and the global economy reap enormous gains from the process of Chinese companies issuing equity shares on US stock markets.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Autodesk is an American multinational corporation that focuses on 3D design software for use in the architecture, engineering, construction, manufacturing, media and entertainment industries. V.R Srivatsan, the managing director for Autodesk's Asean business, discusses the business proposition in Asean, the surrounding eco-system and its channel partners. He also discusses some challenges Autodesk faces, and its move to tap into the consumer market, with mobile applications Sketchbook and Pixlr-O-Matic.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Ng, Managing Director Malaysia & Brunei, DHL Express. He discusses: --  the impressive QoQ growth registered by DHL Express --  where most of its international shipments coming from, and where are they bound for --  if the slowdown in China,  prolonged turmoil in Europe and the slow pickup of the US economy has given them cause for concern --  if there any routes you don't serve --  how shipments throughout the country are directed through the four main gateways: KLIA and the Subang, Penang and Kuching airports --  the addition of the new North Asia hub in Pudong, Shanghai to other hubs in Southeast Asia: Hong Kong, Singapore and Bangkok --  why DHL is focusing on international deliveries in China, as opposed to tapping into the booming domestic express delievery market --  why Malaysia didn't make the cut as a hub for DHL Express --  his expectations on the impact from the ETP projects --  targeting SMEs --  reinvesting in the company: Last year, DHL Express invested over RM8mil in new vehicles and IT systems, if this is to continue this year --  key challenges he faces in the Malaysian logistics industry --  the contingency plans in place operationally, in the event of airport delays/closures, road flooding, social unrest, etc --  if there are any issues with clearing delieveries through customs --  nuances he has learnt working with Malaysian customs  --  impact of fuel volatility on business --  potential impact of petrol subsidy rationalisation on ground transport operations --  how DHL Express is reducing its carbon footprintSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gunung Capital Bhd Executive Chairman / CEO Dato' Syed Abu Hussin discusses: - Path - civil service - UMNO politics - into the transport charter business; - Mode of buying ‘transport’ assets’; - APs 0 Connections; - Five-year contract from the Ministry of Defence to supply buses to the National Service (NS) Program to December 2014; - Mode of winning the project? Whether Open Tender; - Declines in latest quarter - issues; - Drivers - skills - motivation - mentality - remuneration; - Vehicles - fleet size maintenance - running costs; - Diesel costs; - MoU with a Saudi Arabian company to jointly bid for a public bus project in Riyadh; - Renewable energy - Gunung Hydropower Sdn Bhd; - Property development - Gunung Land Sdn Bhd and Impresif Jitu Sdn Bhd, wholly owned subsidiaries; - 2010 DS Anwar Ibrahim - Parliament - beneficiary of hundreds of millions of ringgit from the Ministry of Defense - won 90 per cent of the contracts from Mindef since 2008 - answer; - Govt jobs - reliance - regime change - elections; - Consistently increasing - stake in Gunung - whether bidding war with (other majorowner) Low Bok Tek. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peder Bohlin, Managing Director of Jotun Malaysia and Regional Director of South East Asia. He discusses getting transferring the plant in Singapore to Nilai and getting the plant up and running. Peder also talks about strategies to increase market share and Jotun Malaysia's distribution strategy. He touches on how Malaysia is also Jotun’s regional hub for South East Asia R&D centre for the development of new products for Asia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Kowshik Sriman, Managing Director for SAP Singapore & Malaysia discusses: --  SAP's flagship Enterprise Resource Planning solution and the current business proposition --  evolution of the company --  Singapore and Malaysia markets under his purview --  SAP's support ecosystem in Malaysia --  contribution from Singapore and Malaysia business & growth strategies --  catering to SME customers --  penetration into public sector in Malaysia --  SAP's move into cloud & mobility --  recent acquisitions and M&A trends in the software spaceSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Privasia Technology Bhd MD & Founder Puvanesan Subenthiran discusses: - Westports relationship - dependence - percentage contribution; - Orderbook update; - Local expansion - KK (Sabah) and Malacca -- Details, issues - impact; - Why the focus on Sabah and Malacca, these two states in particular; - Employee issues - Low Yat forums - vitriol - importance of workforce motivation; - Hiring - competition - systems; - M&A - track record - spotty - Rentwise - Infinite QL; - Melaka Government Project - issues; - Losses - expiry Pioneer Tax status - outlook rest of year; - Coverage - (virtually invisible) - how address; - Desire a Main market transfer - but needs profit track record. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ismail Ibrahim, Chief Executive of  Iskandar Regional Development Authority, discusses: --  update on Iskandar Malaysia as it is now in its second phase --  priority sectors with the development --  meeting investment targets --  breakdown of foreign and domestic investments --  maintaining a competitive advantage --  attracting talent and reversing brain drain --  efforts and challenges in engaging stakeholders --  claims of encroachment by the Orang SeletarSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Zurich Insurance Malaysia Berhad CEO Cheong Chee Meng discusses: - MAA - life and general insurance acquisition - integration process; - Price - bargain basement - issues; - Re-branding exercise -- - update - brand acceptance - issues; - Overall integration - people, processes - culture; - Malaysian insurance - Under-penetration - issues; - No Takaful business - issues; - Zurich’s goal - top five in 3-5 years - How; - Agents - strength - training - no. years in service; - Strategy: Bancassurance - SMEs - corporate clientele; - Expected growth rates - 2012; - M&A: MAA's takaful business - whether still open; - MCIS/Zurich JV - Dual ownership issue - BNM disallows - resolution - merge or sell; - Aviva-CIMB said to be keen on selling out -- issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Daibochi Plastic and Packaging Industry Bhd MD Thomas Lim discusses: - Food packaging segment: new clients - sales orders - R&D efforts - new product lines, higher-margin items; - Raw material prices oil prices; - Room for more gearing - whether will do so -- growth pockets - CAPEX; - Branding: perception of low quality in premium markets like Australia; - Competition; - Australia market; - Impact of ongoing consolidation of Australia’s flexible packaging industry; - Other countries - plans; - Packaging - outlook?- Non F&B business - tobacco - rubber gloves; - Property development - winding down; - Share buyback -- treasury shares; - Whether topline growth concerns - slowing global economy; - Tiny market cap, minuscule free float -- whether feels need to address; - Dividend - policy of distributing no less than 50% of Group net profit to shareholders. 2012 Expectations.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Federal Furniture Holdings Group Managing Director and Executive Director, Choy Wai Hin, discusses: --  Federal Furniture Holdings' main businesses of manufacturing & export, interior fit-out, and retail --  the shift in their manufacturing business model following stiff competition from China --  their biggest export market and outlook considering the global slowdown --  the problem of shortage of labour in the furniture manufacturing industry --  if the government's efforts to resolve the shortage has been successful and the impact of the levy on foreign workers --  its interior fit out division has done several mega projects like the Prime Minister's Residence, the Palace of Justice, the Melawati Palace in Putrajaya, the Alam Shah Palace in Klang --  why this division didn't do as well as the other divisions in the business --  new projects to ensure turnover for the interior fit out division --  if stiff competition in this segment means scarificing margin yields to procure projects --  how the company is returning to its roots as a furniture retailer with the brand new Kitchen Plus outlet --  the concept of Kitchen Plus, the expected demand from growing affluence in the domestic market, and competition from other brands See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ignatius Ong, CEO of FireFly, discusses: --  FireFly's ceased jet services and its sole focus on turboprop operations --  Why MAS took over FireFly’s jet ops --  If the move to cancel FireFly's jet operations was premature --  FireFly's target market as a 'community airline' --  New routes --  Plans for fleet explansion --  Increasing customer experience and satisfaction --  FireFly's fuel surcharge See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Yinson Holdings Bhd ED Lim Chern Yuan discusses: - Relative newcomer - market positioning; - Business seems good - strong Q1 numbers - sustainability; - Oil and gas: capex outlook - debt to equity ratio - expertise challenges - vessels maintenance - charter rates outlook - oil price volatility - oil major spending; - Earnings visibility - charter rates - outlook; - Vietnam issues - whether over-reliance on PetroVietnam; - Recent Lam Son deal - financial capabilities - earnings accrual - ongoing challenges - timeframe to profit; - Transport business: asset sales - exposure to diesel prices - cost pass throughs - exposure to dismantling of fuel subsidies; - Trading business: - thin margins - outlook - big receivables; - Dividend policy - governance issues.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Winnie Loo, the founder and chief creative director of 'A Cut Above' group of salons & academy She discusses: -- Her humble beginnings, starting out the business with only a tiny salon in KL -- Her family's reaction when she told them you wanted to pursue a career in hairdressing -- The business: the ubiquitous A Cut Above salons, the Re:Style studios and the X-Cut chain -- Expansion plans: New stores, possibility of standalones -- Keeping full ownership of the business -- Society's perception of working as a hairdresser -- Biggest challenges in building the business for 33 years -- Keeping ideas and hair trends fresh, where she gets her inspirationSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Charlie Oropeza, CEO of Prudential Assurance Malaysia Bhd, discusses: - Branches - employees - agents - Wealth Planners - update and outlook; - Business update; - HQ - pressure - Prudential’s Asian business - biggest contributor - group; - General outlook - Malaysian insurance landscape - growth drivers; - Demographic - races - breakdown; - Sales strategy - Bumi - Indians - Chinese markets; - Regional markets - Indo - SG - comparatives - approach; - Claims ratios - issues; - Claims administration - mortality - morbidity - issues; - Malaysia new business profit growth rates - compared to Asia - US and UK; - Liquidity - disposable income - Private Retirement Scheme; - Central Bank - industry consolidation - Prudential - M&A - issues; - Reports - Prudential - keen - life insurance JV between CIMB and Aviva; - Share allocations - governance. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Datuk Azhar Abdul Hamid, CEO of MRT Corp discusses: -- the estimated cost of the MRT project -- an update on the current progress of construction works -- the Project Delivery Partner (PDP) agreement with MMC-Gamuda -- the final route alignment -- the possibility of accepting the realignment proposed by the Jalan Sultan stakeholders -- an update on the situation with the Jalan Sultan landowners agreement -- the safety of buildings at Jalan Sultan during tunneling works -- the possibility of distruption of business and community activity at Jalan Sultan and surrounding areas during construction work -- the potential impact on heritage and historical buildings at Jalan Sultan, Petaling Street as well as the Bukit Bintang area -- MRT Corp's rationale for the redesign of the station at BB plaza -- how MRT Corp is managing public engagement & consultation -- allegations of favouritism in the tender process -- and finally, what he brings to the table as CEO of MRT CorpSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tariq Ramadan, Professor of Contemporary Islamic Studies at the Oxford University and the author of The Arab Awakening: Islam and the New Middle East. He discusses: --  just how Islamic are the mass movements across the Middle East --  why he refuses to refer to the uprisings as the 'Arab Spring' --  that Western countries were involved in training the cyber-dissidents, while at the same point in time allies of the very same governments --  if the uprisings caught him by surprise, as it did most of the world --  howto reconcile the role of Islam, Islamists, Secularism and Politcs --  the real socio-political change that needs to take place: in education, equality, women's rights, social justice --  the Muslim Brotherhood and what kind of Islamist rulers will they be for Egypt --  why he is not a member of the Brotherhood, which was founded by his grandfather --  the way forward for the Arab worldSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Chery Automobile Malaysia CEO Paul Ng discusses: - Auto industry as a ‘strategic industry’ - - local partner - (BSA MAlaysia's) Tan Sri Cam Soh Thiam Hong - LTAT; - Details on Chery’s history in Malaysia; - Partners' value - insights car industry - expectations - exit plans - IPO; - Current revenues - target production - outlook; - Investments - capex spending - 250 million ringgit plant - whether to be spent in Malaysia or Indonesia; - Political issues - APs - location (Pekan? Klang preferred) - the need for government support - LTAT's role; - Appeal of Malaysia-Indonesia-Thailand as a combined 2.2m unit/yr market - what's at stake; - Local market share - issues; - Buyer apprehension over:a. Qualityb. Residualsc. Reliabilityd. Imagee. Copycat stigma- A&P efforts - strategy; - Showrooms - sales and service centres - strategy; - National Automotive Policy - AP dismantling - expectations; - Intellectual property challenges.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Padini Holdings Bhd Executive Director Chan Kwai Heng discusses: - Padini - vision statement .. "to be the best fashion company ever”; - Design - trend spotting - mechanics; - Manufacturing - quality matters - outsourced - issues; - Fashion - snobby - value chain - Vincci Plus - problems - issues; - A&P - Branding - spend - typical ratio - trend details; - A&P - spend avenues - effectiveness; - Demand - sentiment - outlook; - Store openings - rollouts - capex - staffing; - Raw materials - Indian cotton ban - price outlook - volatility - buying forward; - Inventory Levels; - Competition - pros and cons; - Dividend policy - net profit expectations - bullish outlook statement.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How will Scoot, the new low cost, medium/long haul carrier backed by Singapore Airlines give AirAsia X and Jetstar a run for their money? Interview with Campbell Wilson, the CEO of Scoot.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

HTC Corporation President of South Asia Pacific Lennard Hoornik discusses: - Expectations - achievements since leaving Sony Ericsson; - Applying turnaround skills @ HTC; - Telco - cut throat; - “short-term difficulties” - new launches - issues; - Profits warnings; - Competition: Samsung - Apple; - Marketing - Distribution - channel - deficiencies? - Patent lawsuits - implications - commercial harm; - HTC CEO Peter Chou - "breakthroughs in both the Chinese and Japanese markets that will help Asia overtake the US as HTC’s biggest market this year" - details; - HTC - South Asia market share; - Malaysia position - drivers; - HTC: (seen as) very little gloss, glamour - “quietly brilliant” whether appropriate - given importance marketing; - Positioning: low-to-medium end appears to have failed; - Slow - Ice Cream sandwich: Google phones 12 months ahead - HTC appears always playing catch up; - Jellybean: expected mid this year -- how long will HTC take before it rolls out a version; - Samsung - family dispute - whether instructive; - Whether allow - claw back market share.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tan Kien Eng, CEO of Leo Burnett Group Malaysia & Singapore discusses: -- the HumanKind philosophy at the heart of Leo Burnett Group -- its numerous industry accolades -- Yasmin Ahmad's legacy -- The talent shortage in the industry -- Its efforts to become the employer of choice -- Creative brain drain to 'mature' advertising markets -- The pressure for fresh creative ideas -- If the industry has become too award-centric -- How size matters in the avertising gameSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Fortis Healthcare CEO Vishal Bali discusses: - India - conducive elements for health care; - Indian plans to become regional medical destination - chances of, challenges to; - Comparing and contrasting IHH, whose footprint is Singapore and Malaysia. Their India interest is an associate stake in Apollo, which is the biggest in India; - Regional plans - investments - targets - countries- dynamics; - Singapore demand dynamics; - Malaysia demand dynamics; - Singapore IPO - timeline - amounts sought - details; - Plans for proceeds; - IHH IPO - discussion; - Whether IHH IPO will sap liquidity from Singapore IPO; - Battle for talent: healthcare management, doctors - patients - issues. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Pulitzer Prize-winner Daniel Yergin discusses his book "The Quest: Energy, Security, and the Remaking of the Modern World" He talks about: -- Important changes that have shaped the landscape of the energy industry -- Threats to energy security -- The Peak Oil debate -- Growth of shale gas and the impact of fracking -- The electricity generation industry -- The growing role of natural gas -- Nuclear energy, post-Fukushima -- Renewable energy in the energy mix -- Efficiency as the fifth fuel -- Impact of energy industry on climate change To learn more about Daniel Yergin, his books, and his thoughts on the energy industry, please visit danielyergin.comSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, F&N CEO Dato' Ng Jui Sia discusses: - The loss of Coke - September 2011 - progress - planning for future; - Whether F&N is in for a “massive restructuring” (as he did for the Malaysian soft drinks business over a 6-year period from 2000 - 2006); - Competition - Coke - spent nearly a billion ringgit to build their own 30-acre plant in Nilai to sell Coke and Sprite on their own; - Strategies: other franchises - expanding soft drinks portfolio; - Marketing - strategy - ad spend - mediums; - Dairies - Malaysia - Update; - Reasons --- continuous revenue decline in past three quarters; - Raw materials costs rising - hedging - outlook - issues; - Pulau Indah plant -- scheduled for commissioning 2H 2012 - whether on track; - Implications: production, earnings, staffing; - Green attributes - whether translation to bottom-lines, cost-savings due the water and energy conservation; - Dairies Thailand - floods - timeline - return to pre-flood levels; - Property gain - PJ Section 13 land - launch - GDV; - Financial issues - capital expenditure - dividends - outlook - special dividends.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Dato' Seri Zamzamzairani Mohd Isa, Group Chief Executive Officer, Telekom Malaysia Bhd, discusses: - The Unifi / broadband business: customer base - installation coverage - take-up rates - Streamyx migration - milestones - deliverables - required capex; - Competition - Maxis - aggressive promotions - cheaper and faster products despite riding on TM's network - reasons; - Whether price war brewing - FTTH; - ARPU update - Unifi customers on the cheapest package - strategy; - Compelling users to sign up for paid channels to raise ARPU - update - HyppTV issues - content grab - 'Triple Play' issues; - Speeds - prices - regional perspective; - General issues: Opex spend - outlook - marketing spend - mediums; - Fixed line growth - reasons - pockets of expansion - details; - MCMC - Request For Proposal - Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting (DTTB) system - submissions due July 25 - business case - capex needs; - Spectrum - Competition from 4G/LTE; - Capital Management - dividends visibility; - Looking beyond data - next growth driver beyond Unifi - ICT/BPO - cloud computing and managed services to enterprises; - Governance issues - CEO remuneration - salary benchmarking - performance.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In this 2012 interview, Metro Kajang Holdings Bhd MD/ED Datuk Eddy Chen Lok Loi discusses: - Re-branding - reasons - whether lived up to expectations; - The "internationalisation" of the business; - Becoming Shariah-compliant - why - implications - benefits; - Busines lines - property development, investment, construction, palm oil, furniture manufacturing - valuation issues; - Property development projects - rollout - pipeline - positioning - prices - demand outlook - rates regime, outlook; - REHDA Issues - water availability - Selangor and W.P. - land grab - implications; - LTVR - BNM tightening - issues; - Furniture Manufacturing - plans for sale - issues; - Oil Palm Plantation - yields - contribution outlook - - Liquidity issues - exercises.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.